sniff

1 of 2

verb

ˈsnif 

sniffed; sniffing; sniffs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to inhale through the nose especially for smelling

sniffed at the flowers

b

: to take air into the nose in short audible breaths

She sniffed and wiped her nose.

2

: to show or express disdain or scorn

3

: snoop, nose

sniffed around for clues

transitive verb

1

a

: to get the odor or scent of (something) with the nose : smell

sniffed the freshly baked cookies

dogs sniffing the ground

b

: to inhale (something) through the nose : snort

sniffing cocaine

2

: to utter contemptuously

3

: to recognize or detect (something) by or as if by smelling

—usually used with out

sniff out trouble

sniff

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or sound of sniffing

2

: a quantity that is sniffed

Synonyms of sniff

Verb

• smell
• inhale

Noun

• scent
• smell
• aroma

Examples of sniff in a Sentence

Verb

She sniffed and wiped her nose with a tissue.

She put perfume on her wrist and sniffed it.

The dog sniffed the carpet.

He held the flower up to his nose and sniffed.

“I guess you don't need my help,” she sniffed.

Noun

She said that she felt fine, but her sniffs and coughs told a different story.

“I refuse to answer that question,” she said with a sniff.

He wanted to avoid the slightest sniff of a scandal.

There was still a sniff of hope left for the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The African giant pouched rat was trained by the Belgian charity APOPO to use his keen sense of smell to sniff out landmines and other explosives. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026

The episode builds to a scene when Duncan, having sniffed out JoAnne’s scheme, blackmails her into an even larger scheme to pump rival executives for business scoops. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026

Noun

Inside the stables, the family’s other two horses greeted Troy with affectionate sniffs, snuggles and neighs. —Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

McInerney fans may take a few sniffs opening weekend, and Fox fans may hole up for a couple weeks of curious glances, but Bright Lights boxoffice prospects seem mighty dim. —Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sniff

• nothing to sniff at
• sniff around/round
• sniff at

Rhymes for sniff

• biff
• cliff
• diff
• glyph
• griff
• if
• riff
• schiff
• skiff
• stiff
• tiff
• whiff

Kids Definition

sniff

1 of 2 verb

ˈsnif 

1

: to draw air into the nose in short breaths loud enough to be heard

sniffed at the cheese

2

: to show or express scorn

sniffed at simple jobs

3

: to smell or inhale by taking short breaths

sniff perfume

4

: to detect by or as if by smelling

sniff out trouble

sniffer noun

sniff

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or sound of sniffing

2

: an odor or amount sniffed